United Conservative Party leadership candidate Danielle Smith says if she wins this week's vote and becomes the next Alberta premier, she would not call an early election to seek a broad mandate on her policy ideas. Smith, the perceived front-runner in the race, says the public tends to punish leaders who call an early election. She says she would wait until the next scheduled election in May 2023, but believes she has a mandate now to proceed with her plans. Smith has said she would immediately pass an Alberta sovereignty act, which would allow the province to ignore federal laws and court ru

The Alberta government has announced more than $124 million over two years for addiction and mental health services in Edmonton and Calgary, with another $63 million aimed at reducing homelessness in the province over the same period. The funding for Edmonton and Calgary will go toward increasing treatment spaces while expanding addiction services, with $70 million earmarked for capital spending and $54 million to assist operations. A 75-bed, co-ed long-term treatment facility is planned to be operational in Edmonton by the end of 2023, while a similar facility is to be built in Calgary by ear

The City of Edmonton is considering a big expansion of its network of bicycle lanes. City councillors have voted to push forward a proposal to add 100 kilometres of bike lanes at a cost of 170-million dollars. Edmonton currently has about 15 kilometres of protected bike lanes, mostly in the city centre. Edmonton may spend $170 million to build 100 km of New bike lanes by 2026 A decision will come after the proposal is debated during budget talks this fall.

R-C-M-P say arrests have been made after a shooting in central Alberta. A man was shot outside the Leland Hotel in Ponoka a week ago. The Mounties say they, with the help of Calgary police, arrested two people at Cascade Ponds in Banff National Park on Monday. Eldon James Junior Saddleback of Maskwacis (mask-wah-CHEEZ') and Anthony Kelsey Lee Omeasoo of Wetaskiwin (weh-TAH'-ska-WIN') are both charged with attempted murder with a firearm and a number of other offences. Both Saddleback and Omeasoo have been remanded in custody with their next court appearance set for Sept. 29 in Wetaskiwin.

A motorist in southern Alberta has been convicted of distracted driving for the 13th time. The 40-year-old man appeared in Airdrie provincial court Tuesday after receiving a mandatory summons and was fined $2,000 in addition to the $300 ticket. Distracted driving became illegal in the province on Sept. 1, 2011, and the man received his first ticket for distracted driving on the same day. Since then, he has paid a total of $7,655 in fines for the 13 offences. Sgt. Darrin Turnbull says the RCMP wanted to bring attention to this case to make Albertans aware of how much these penalties can add up.

Mounties in northern Alberta say they have arrested a man wanted for first-degree murder. R-C-M-P had asked residents in the Cadotte Lake area to stay in their homes as they searched for Brenon Grey. Grey is accused in the death of Romeo Flett in July. R-C-M-P say he was arrested last night in the community of Little Buffalo, about 100 kilometres west of Peace River.

A graduated driver's licence program in Alberta that has been in effect for the past 19 years is getting an overhaul. Since 2003 new drivers in the province have faced a number of rules including zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol behind the wheel as well as a prohibition on unsafe driving. Once they made it through the two-year probationary period they were then asked to spend 150 dollars to take a second, more advanced driving test to get a full licence. The probationary period will continue but beginning next spring anyone who gets past the two-year period won't be required to take a seco

The Alberta government has unveiled a memorial wall inside the legislature building that honours the province's fallen police officers. It bears the names of the 101 Alberta police and peace officers who have died in the line of duty since 1876, and is outside the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General's office. The memorial wall was designed by Calgary Police Service Sergeant Jason Hiscock. The unveiling took place on the morning of Alberta Police and Peace Officers' Memorial Day, which occurs each year on the last Sunday of September.

RCMP say residents of a northern Alberta community don't have to shelter in place anymore, but they are still asking them to be diligent while a fugitive remains on the loose. Police warned people in Cadotte Lake on Saturday to stay in their homes because Brenon Blake Grey, who is wanted on a warrant for murder, was in the area. They alleged that he was armed and may be travelling on a stolen quad. Police downgraded their warning later in the day, but asked people to remain vigilant since Grey was still believed to be in the area.